Well, hello, readers! HUUUUUGS...I missed you!
I had the good fortune to accompany my Best Friend Ever to cooler climes...namely, our sister Foodie City, San Francisco!
Thank you muchly to Thomas, Cindy and Matty, for your fabu recommendations; mahalo to Tony letting us use your kitchen (it was SO good to see you, lady!); and a BIIIIIIGGGG danke to Max, for enduring my epicurean bullying and ill-tempered 'bouts with the confounded GPS system.
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Can you think of anything more fun that waking up bright and early to go to a Farmer's Market on your vaca? I can't!
Max took a little more convincing...with much cajoling and caffeine, we were waterside, enjoying the view of the Bay Bridge as we made our way to the SF Foodie Hall of Worship: The Ferry Building.
The Ferry Building itself is a nexus of high-end specialty food stores and restaurants, most of them with a regional bent, open 7 days/year-round; but the real cult following swirls around the Farmer's Market, which only happens on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
With farm-fresh, small-batch produce and products glowing in all their seasonal glory, the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market courts the same manner of localvores and sustainability advocates that we'd find in the Union Square Greenmarket in NYC.
Sadly, it being a Tuesday, we missed some of the heavy-hitters that only do business on Saturdays-- Petaluma Farms, CandyCot Fruit Co.--but there was still plenty to ooooh and ahhh at.
As much as I'd hate to admit this, in many respects, FPFM was a far more pleasant experience than the USQ Greenmarket; patrons and sellers were better paced, better spaced, more patient, and just...downright NICER and notably respectful of one another (i.e. the veggie-snob high-sticking was at a minimum).
Take a moment to notice the kids that pop up in a couple of the piccies; they asked producers questions and were treated to an array of unrushed sights, textures and scents. Just TRY that with your little ones at Union Square. I dare ya.
Granted, Ferry Farmer's Market may be a little less huggy on its more bustling Saturdays, but it was heartening not to have dodge the shoulder-checks of crazed ramp-hunters. And who knows? If SFers had to deal with 90 degree heat with 90% humidity, the lovefest might be over.
Cherry tomaters!
Cippollini Onions...
Children of the Corn eyeing stone fruit...
Doughnut Peaches!
Raspberries, and their yellower cousins, Goldenberries...
Rhubarb and a cornucopia 'o' peppers from Happy Quail Farm...
Padron Peppers (Pimiento de Padrón) from Happy Quail Farms
Bibb lettuce (front), Basil (top left), Torpedo Onions (top middle) and Lacinato "Dino" Kale (top right)
Lemon Cucumbers (the 'lil yellow chubby of the cuke family)
Zapallitos, the lost Argentinian squash! (Apparently, sweet & tender!)
Zucchini Flowers...
Bevvy of Dairy Riches at the Cowgirl Creamery
Poofs of cheer at Oak Hill Farm Florists
Fancypants Mushrooms at Far West Fungi
Do-it-yourself Mushroom Kit at Far West Fungi (spiffy dome not included)
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Coffee-based bribery will only get a snap-happy foodhead's companion so far, so I sat Max down for a well-earned lunch at MarketBar.
A little crusty bread, a cold, organic French Cider:
He went for the Fava Bean Bruschetta:
...and the Alternating Beet and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Butter Sage Sauce:
I, like a biiiig hypocrite, order some Kumamoto oysters. (Hey now, who can turn down West Coast Oyster when on the West Coast? Not I!)
...and the Roasted Chicken Salad with Avocado and Pumpkin Seeds:
Sunny. 65 degrees and breezy. Bellies full of tasty local food.
SA-weet.
Stay tuned for more SF Treats!
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